Improving Post-Harvest Handling in Fruits and Vegetables of Côte d'Ivoire: A Scoping Review

Post-harvest handling of fruits and vegetables in Côte d'Ivoire is critical for reducing losses and improving economic viability. A scoping review approach was employed, synthesizing existing literature on best management practices and loss reduction techniques for fruits and vegetables in Côte d'Ivoire. Specific methods such as controlled cooling at 4°C to minimise microbial growth were highlighted. Losses from post-harvest handling varied between 15% and 30%, with significant variability across different fruit types. Current post-harvest handling practices in Côte d'Ivoire need improvement to reduce losses by up to 20% through the adoption of standardised cooling protocols. Implementing a national standard for controlled cooling could significantly reduce losses from 15-30%, with estimated savings of $2 million annually based on current market prices. Fruits, vegetables, post-harvest handling, loss reduction, Côte d'Ivoire The empirical specification follows $Y=\beta_0+\beta^\top X+\varepsilon$, and inference is reported with uncertainty-aware statistical criteria.